Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the Democratic National Convention. (Credit: CBS)

CHICAGO (CBS) — Mayor Rahm Emanuel is defending his trip to the Democratic National Convention while the Chicago Teachers Union is poised for a possible strike.

As WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore Reports from Charlotte, N.C., after speaking to Illinois convention delegates, Mayor Emanuel fielded questions about criticism from some that he should not have come to the political gathering the strike looms and street violence continues.

Ald. Carrie Austin, who also was at the DNC, was pessimistic that a strike can be averted. But Jorge Ramirez, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, says it’s premature to make any predictions. He’s glad that both sides are working hard on a contract deal.

Also Wednesday, Chicago Congressman Luis Gutierrez made a surprise appearance at the DNC. He says he was supposed to be on the road campaigning for the president this week, but he was brought in to counter all the Latinos who spoke at the Republican National Convention last week.